PRESS RELEASE- 10/06/23- CASE 23-0737 Warrant Arrest and K9 Search

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: October 6, 2023

On Friday October 6, 2023, at about 11:30 AM, an alert citizen reported a suspicious vehicle full of bicycle parts parked on a vacant lot at the east end of Drayer Drive. Officers arrived and contacted two people. One person immediately fled on foot into the canyon and hid in the brush. Officers recognized the man as 32-year-old Joshua Beckham.

A records check revealed Beckham was wanted on a no-bail felony arrest warrant. Beckham has extensive arrest history, including at least one violent felony. Based on this information, Officer M. Wood deployed K-9 Ridge. Officers made numerous announcements warning Beckham that if he didn't cooperate with Officers' directions, K9 Ridge would be deployed. Once Beckham was given plenty of opportunity to comply, K9 Ridge was released and sent to search the area.

As K9 Ridge and Officers searched into the canyon, Officer Wood periodically stopped K9 Ridge and gave additional announcements and warnings for Beckham to surrender. After about 15 minutes, as K9 Ridge drew near the thicket where Beckham was hiding, Beckham emerged slowly from the brush with his hands in the air and complied.

The Pardise Police Department credits K9 Ridge's presence as the deterent needed to convince Beckham to surrender without Officers having to utilize force to place him under arrest. Paradise PD appreciates the Paradise Community's continued support for the K9 program, allowing for another arrest without injury to Officers or the suspect.

LOCATION: 1800 block of Drayer Drive, Paradise

SUSPECT(S): Joshua James Beckham, 32 years of age

INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Officer M. Wood

APPROVING SUPERVISOR: Sgt. D. Akin